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After a Miscarriage

Going Home After a Miscarriage

Recovering from miscarriage and D&C is relatively straight forward. There are not very many special things to do, or not to do. Basically, the bleeding and the cramps should go away. While this is an emotional time for you, within a day or two, your body should feel relatively normal. If you are not getting better please don’t hesitate to call or come in for an appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns please call/text Dr. Mackey at 608.575.4519, or Nurse Ashley at 608.342.0986, BEFORE you go to the emergency room.

 Recovery 

  1. Restrictions: Nature will tell you what to do, or not to do. If it hurts, do not do it. The only problem with advancing your activity too soon is getting more sore than is necessary.
  2. Activity: There are NO restrictions for activity after a D&C for miscarriage. Perhaps it will be better to take it easy on the day of and day after, but that is mostly to deal with the nausea and cramps.
  3. Exercise: Avoid vigorous exercise for a few days.
  4. Discharge: You should expect there will be vaginal bleeding and discharge which should disappear over the next 1-2 weeks.
  5. Driving: It is wise to arrange transportation to and from your procedure. You should wait to drive for at least 12 hours after the procedure, to make sure all the sedation medicines have worn off.
  6. Working/Regular Activities: You can return to regular activity 24 hours after the procedure.
  7. Intercourse: It is recommended to wait to have sex until after the bleeding stops, and you feel you are ready. This can be as soon as 1-2 weeks after.
  8. What To Look For: You should just get better. It almost sounds too simple but the bleeding will taper off and the cramps should not last for more than 1-2 days. CALL MY OFFICE if your cramps continue for more than 5 days. Persistent Cramps Suggest a Problem. If you are “just not getting better” or if you begin to feel worse, or flu-like, please make an appointment to see me.
  9. Appointment: If all goes well, you don’t need a follow up appointment. You may wish to come in and discuss what happened, and what we will do differently for you in a future pregnancy. This discussion is best done in my office at least three weeks after your D&C. If the visit is not already set up you can call our office at 608.342.0986 to arrange an appointment.

Pain Management

While some pain is expected after a miscarriage procedure, ibuprofen and Tylenol are typically enough to manage that pain. If you have more significant or uncontrolled pain, Tylenol III (with codeine), Vicodin, or Percocet are safe to use. You will have a prescription, either given in the office or provided in the hospital, for a stronger pain medicine.

What to Look For

The two most important things to watch for, and call right away should you experience them, are:

  1. Unexplained fever and body aches, like you are getting the flu.
  2. Cramps, which continue for more than 5 days.

Contacting the Doctor

Dr. Mackey can be reached directly at 608.575.4519, almost any time. Please don’t hesitate to call or text if you need to. For less urgent question, you can Email Dr. Mackey. Nurse Ashley can be reached at 608.342.0986.

BEFORE YOU GO TO an Emergency Room, please try calling Dr. Mackey directly. If there is no answer, please leave a message and wait 15 minutes for a return call.